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Abstract:

The control device is used to control delivery of fluids from a
multi-fluid delivery system during a medical injection procedure. The
fluid delivery system includes an injector used to deliver injection
fluids to a patient. The control device is operatively associated with
the injector for controlling discrete flow rates of injection fluids
delivered to the patient. The control device includes a housing, first
and second actuators associated with the housing, and an electronic
substrate disposed within the housing and having a conductive pattern.
The first actuator is operatively associated with the conductive pattern.
The conductive pattern includes a plurality of predetermined digital
values corresponding to discrete flow rates of injection fluids to be
delivered by the injector. The second actuator is operatively associated
with the electronic substrate and initiates output signals to the
injector corresponding to desired mixture ratios of the injection fluids
to be delivered by the injector.

Claims:

1. A fluid delivery system for use in medical procedures, comprising:an
injector for delivering multiple injection fluids to a patient; anda
control device operatively associated with the injector, comprising:a
housing;a first actuator associated with the housing;an electronic
substrate disposed within the housing and comprising a conductive
pattern, the first actuator adapted to operatively associate with the
conductive pattern when actuated by a user; anda second actuator
associated with the housing and operatively associated with the
electronic substrate;wherein the conductive pattern comprises a plurality
of predetermined digital values corresponding to discrete flow rates of
the injection fluids to be delivered by the injector such that when the
first actuator is actuated, the first actuator operatively associates
with the conductive pattern and transmits the digital values to the
injector; andwherein actuation of the second actuator initiates output
signals to the injector corresponding to desired mixture ratios of the
injection fluids to be delivered by the injector.

2. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is
movably associated with the housing and the digital values are arranged
such that the discrete flow rates are linearly proportional to distance
of movement of the first actuator.

3. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is
movably associated with the housing and the digital values are arranged
such that the discrete flow rates incrementally increase with distance of
movement of the first actuator.

4. The fluid delivery system of claim 3, wherein the digital values
comprise at least to a first digital value corresponding to no movement
of the first actuator and a 0% of discrete flow rate from the injector,
and a last digital value corresponding to a maximum movement of the first
actuator and a 100% discrete flow rate from the injector.

5. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is
movably associated with the housing and comprises an actuating member and
a contact roller adapted to operatively associate with the conductive
pattern.

6. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the second actuator
comprises a potentiometer.

7. The fluid delivery system of claim 7, wherein the potentiometer is one
of a linear potentiometer and a rotational potentiometer.

8. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the second actuator
comprises at least one push button.

9. The fluid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a second
electronic substrate disposed within the housing and comprising a
conductive pattern, the second actuator adapted to operatively associate
with the conductive pattern on the second electronic substrate when
actuated by the user.

10. The fluid delivery system of claim 9, wherein the second actuator is
movably associated with the housing and comprises an actuating member and
a contact roller adapted to operatively associate with the conductive
pattern on the second electronic substrate.

11. A control device for controlling a multi-fluid delivery system,
comprising:a housing;a first actuator associated with the housing;an
electronic substrate disposed within the housing and comprising a
conductive pattern, the first actuator adapted for operative association
with the conductive pattern when actuated by a user, and wherein the
conductive pattern comprises a plurality of predetermined digital values
corresponding to discrete flow rates of injection fluids to be delivered
by the multi-fluid delivery system such that when the first actuator is
actuated, the first actuator operatively associates with the conductive
pattern and transmits the digital values to the multi-fluid delivery
system; anda second actuator associated with the housing and operatively
associated with the electronic substrate, such that actuation of the
second actuator initiates output signals to the multi-fluid delivery
system corresponding to desired mixture ratios of the injection fluids to
be delivered by the multi-fluid delivery system.

12. The control device of claim 11, wherein the first actuator is movably
associated with the housing and the digital values are arranged such that
the discrete flow rates are linearly proportional to distance of movement
of the first actuator.

13. The control device of claim 11, wherein the first actuator is movably
associated with the housing and the digital values are arranged such that
the discrete flow rates incrementally increase with distance of movement
of the first actuator.

14. The control device of claim 13, wherein the digital values comprise at
least a first digital value corresponding to no movement of the first
actuator and a 0% discrete flow rate from the fluid delivery, and a last
digital value corresponding to a maximum movement of the first actuator
and a 100% discrete flow rate from the multi-fluid delivery system.

15. The control device of claim 11, wherein the first actuator is movably
associated with the housing and comprises an actuating member and a
contact roller adapted to operatively associate with the conductive
pattern.

16. The control device of claim 11, wherein the second actuator comprises
a potentiometer.

17. The control device of claim 16, wherein the potentiometer is one of a
linear potentiometer and a rotational potentiometer.

18. The control device of claim 11, wherein the second actuator comprises
at least one push button.

19. The control device of claim 11, further comprising a second electronic
substrate disposed within the housing and comprising a conductive
pattern, the second actuator adapted to operatively associate with the
conductive pattern on the second electronic substrate when actuated by a
user.

20. The control device of claim 19, wherein the second actuator is movably
associated with the housing and comprises an actuating member and a
contact roller adapted to operatively associate with the conductive
pattern on the second electronic substrate.

Description:

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]The present application incorporates by reference U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/085,616, filed Mar. 21, 2005 (published as U.S.
2005/0273056), and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/928,021, filed
Oct. 30, 2007, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Field of the Invention

[0003]The present invention relates generally to control devices for
controlling operation of fluid-supplying machines or apparatus used in
medical procedures such as angiography and, further, to hand-held control
devices for controlling the flow rate of fluids, such as contrast media
and/or common flushing agents, injected into a patient during medical
procedures, such as angiography.

[0004]2. Description of Related Art

[0005]Angiography is a procedure used in the detection and treatment of
abnormalities or restrictions in blood vessels. During angiography, a
radiographic image of a vascular structure (i.e., blood vessel) is
obtained by injecting radiographic contrast material, also referred to as
contrast media, through a catheter into a vein or artery. X-rays are
passed through the region of the body in which the contrast media is
concentrated. The X-rays are absorbed by the contrast material, causing a
radiographic outline or image of the blood vessel containing the contrast
media. The X-ray's images of the blood vessel filled with the contrast
media are usually recorded onto film or videotape and are displayed on a
fluoroscope monitor.

[0006]Many angiographic procedures, in particular coronary angiography and
especially coronary vascular interventional procedures such as
angioplasty, require frequent intermittent injections of contrast media.
The contrast media is administered in varying volumes as well as
modulated strengths and time durations. The intermittent contrast media
injections are critical for optimal positioning of guiding catheters at
the targeted blood vessels, positioning of guide wires to and through the
targeted areas during catheter interventions (i.e., percutaneous
transluminal coronary angioplasty), and for assessment of the results of
such interventional procedures.

[0007]During angiography, after a physician places the angiographic
catheter into a vein or artery, the angiographic catheter is connected to
either a manual or an automatic contrast media injection mechanism. A
typical manual contrast media injection mechanism includes a syringe and
a catheter connection. The user of the manual contrast media injection
mechanism adjusts the rate and volume of injection by altering the manual
actuation force applied to the plunger of the syringe.

[0008]Automatic contrast media injection mechanisms typically involve a
syringe connected to a linear actuator. The linear actuator is connected
to a motor which is controlled electronically. The operator enters into
the electronic control a fixed volume of contrast media and a fixed rate
of injection. There is typically no interactive control between the
operator and the mechanism, except to start or stop the injection. A
change in flow rate occurs by stopping the mechanism and resetting the
parameters.

[0009]Recent improvements in the radiographic imaging field have attempted
to apply software and hardware interfaces to automatic contrast media
injection mechanisms to provide variable flow rate and fixed flow rate
modes to the operator. Additionally, the delivery of common flushing
agents, such as saline, may also be controlled using the
software/hardware interfaces. One such angiographic control device is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,851 to Goldstein. The Goldstein patent
discloses the use of a microchip control device in the form of an
angiographic control pad device designed to facilitate finger touch
modulation of flow rate, volume, and duration of contrast media injection
into a patient during an angiographic procedure. The control finger pad
device allows the operator to control the aforementioned parameters
during an injection procedure by altering the duration and extent of
fingertip depression on the finger pads.

[0010]Another control device used to provide variable flow rate control to
an operator of an automatic contrast media injection mechanism is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,165 to Duchon et al. This reference
discloses a hand-held pneumatic control device that interfaces with and
controls a fluid supply or injection mechanism. The hand-held control
device is further adapted to control dispensement of saline injected into
the patient during the angiographic procedure. The hand-held control
device is generally adapted to be responsive to fluid pressure within the
device. The control device includes a pressure control member adapted to
selectively change fluid pressure within the pressure control member
based on inputs from the operator. In one embodiment, the control device
is provided with one or more internal air bladders having a volume that
selectively adjusts to change the fluid pressure within the air bladders
based on operator inputs. Internal sensors are provided to monitor the
volume changes of the air bladders, and generate control signals based on
the volume changes.

[0011]U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,587, also to Duchon et al., discloses another
version of a hand-held control device for an automatic contrast media
injection mechanism. This reference discloses a hand-held control device
that includes two opposing and spaced-apart handles. A resilient
attachment member connects the two handles. The resilient attachment
member is configured to allow the first handle to move with respect to
the second handle in response to operator inputs. The control device
includes a sensor attached to the first handle for producing a variable
control signal indicative of the distance between the first handle and
the second handle.

[0012]Yet another hand-held control device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,221,045 to Duchon et al. This reference discloses a hand-held control
device that generates a control signal that is continuously variable
according to continuously varying movement of a user's hand on the
hand-held control. The control signal is continuously variable and
sustainable at any value between preset maximum and minimum values
corresponding to maximum and minimum contrast media discharge flow rates.

[0013]It is also known that the concept of diluting contrast with saline
is gaining in popularity in the medical imaging industry. Certain
solutions for automating this process already exist. However, some known
"mixing" solutions are somewhat low tech. They often involve mixing by
hand in either a sterile bowl or syringe. Prior art hand control devices
in the market today do not provide such a mixing capability. Further,
future generations of injector equipment that might permit mixing may be
limited in that, once the injection is started, the mixture of contrast
and saline cannot be adjusted.

[0014]As automatic contrast media/fluid injection mechanisms and systems
become more complex, it is desirable to interface with such mechanisms
and systems on a digital level to afford more control over the medical
injection procedures performed with such devices. The foregoing examples
of hand-held control devices provide a certain amount of control over
such procedures by offering the operator of the contrast media/fluid
injection mechanism or system a variable flow rate mode of operating the
mechanism or system. However, there is room for improvement in the field
of control devices for controlling or operating contrast media/fluid
injection mechanisms or systems, for example, by providing a control
device that may interface with such mechanisms or systems on a truly
digital level, while providing accurate flow rate control of contrast
media injection and/or saline flush control and, desirably, controlled
mixing of contrast media and saline. Additionally, there is a need for a
hand-held control device that is simple to use, for example, having an
intuitive look and feel of operation for the operator. Further, a need
exists for a hand-held control device that is simple and inexpensive to
manufacture, so that the device itself may be disposable after a preset
number of uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015]Generally, a fluid delivery system is disclosed herein for use in
medical injection procedures that includes a control device for
controlling flow rates of fluid delivered from the fluid delivery system
to a patient. The fluid delivery system typically includes an injector,
for example, a powered injector for delivering fluid to the patient. The
control device is generally adapted to control flow rates of fluid
delivered by the injector to the patient. In particular, the control
device is adapted to provide a user of the control device with the
ability to vary the flow rates of fluid from the injector.

[0016]The fluid delivery system and control device may be used in medical
injection procedures, such as angiography. In such procedures, as
indicated previously, an injector, either manual or powered, is used to
deliver fluids, particularly contrast media, under pressure to a patient.
Typically, the patient is connected to a syringe associated with the
injector by a catheter. The contrast media is injected into the patient
upon actuation of the injector. The disclosed control device is generally
adapted to control the injection fluid flow rate to the patient from the
injector, for example, a powered injector. Thus, the control device
provides the operator of a powered injector with a variable flow rate
mode to deliver contrast media at discrete flow rates desired by the
operator, who is typically a medical practitioner.

[0017]Additionally, the control device is generally adapted to control the
delivery of additional injection fluids beyond contrast media. For
example, it is common to supply saline to the patient during certain
aspects of injection procedures, such as angiography. The control device
is further adapted to start and stop the flow of an additional fluid,
such as saline, to the patient when commanded by the user. If desired,
the control device may be adapted to allow mixing of contrast media with
flushing media. Such mixing may be real-time and the device may allow
both real-time variability of flow rate and variability of contrast
media/saline mix (or of any two desired fluids). Such a mixing control
device typically interfaces with a multi-axis or multi-fluid
injection/delivery system which receives and acts upon signals outputted
by the mixing control device.

[0018]Moreover, the control device may be configured to be hand-held and
may be ergonomically designed to fit comfortably within the human hand.
Further, the control device may be provided as a disposable device,
typically used for only a certain number of procedures before being
discarded.

[0019]A fluid delivery system according to one embodiment generally
includes an injector that may be adapted to actuate a syringe used to
deliver an injection fluid to a patient, and a control device operatively
associated with the injector, either directly or indirectly, for
controlling flow rates of the injection fluid delivered to the patient.
The control device generally includes a housing and an actuator
associated with the housing. The control device further includes an
electronic substrate disposed within the housing. The electronic
substrate comprises a conductive pattern, defined or formed thereon. The
actuator is adapted for operative association with the conductive pattern
when actuated by a user. The conductive pattern may comprise a plurality
of predetermined digital values corresponding to discrete flow rates of
injection fluid to be delivered by the injector, such that when the
actuator is actuated, the actuator operatively associates with the
conductive pattern and transmits the digital values to the injector.

[0020]The actuator may be movably associated with the housing for
operatively associating with the conductive pattern. The digital values
may be arranged such that the discrete flow rates are linearly
proportional to distance of movement of the actuator. Additionally, the
digital values may be arranged such that the discrete flow rates
incrementally increase with distance of movement of the actuator. The
incremental increase may comprise 5%, 10%, 20%, or any desired
incremental increase with each digital value. The digital values
typically include at least a first digital value corresponding to no
movement of the actuator and a 0% (i.e., no) discrete flow rate, and a
last digital value corresponding to a maximum movement of the actuator
and a 100% (i.e., full) discrete flow rate. The last digital value may
correspond to a maximum possible flow rate from the injector.

[0021]The actuator may be movably associated with the housing for
operatively associating with the conductive pattern. The actuator may
comprise an actuating member and a contact adapted to operatively
associate with the conductive pattern. The contact may be in the form of
a contact roller adapted to operatively associate with the conductive
pattern. The roller may be formed of electrically conductive resilient
material and may be biased into engagement with the electronic substrate.
The contact may also be in the form of a contact plate having contact
fingers adapted to operatively associate with the conductive pattern. The
actuating member may be slidably associated with the electronic
substrate.

[0022]The contact may be adapted to sequentially access the digital values
of the conductive pattern when the actuating member is moved relative to
the housing. A biasing member may further be associated with the
actuating member for biasing the actuating member to a neutral position
relative to the housing. The biasing member may act on the actuating
member such that the user of the control device experiences increasing
tactile resistance as the actuating member is moved relative to the
housing. The biasing member may be further adapted to provide tactile
resistance proportional to distance of movement of the actuator relative
to the housing.

[0023]The electronic substrate and/or housing may comprise sound producing
structures positioned to be engaged by the actuator for audibly
indicating movement of the actuator relative to the housing.

[0024]The control device may be operatively connected to the injector via
a fluid control module associated with the injector. The control device
may further comprise a secondary actuator adapted to transmit a secondary
fluid actuation signal to, for example, the fluid control module upon
actuation. The secondary actuator may comprise a control button
operatively associated with the electronic substrate for initiating the
secondary fluid actuation signal.

[0025]A data communication cable may be associated with the electronic
substrate for transmitting the digital values to the injector, either
directly or indirectly. The data communication cable may be adapted to
removably connect the control device with the injector, either directly
or indirectly.

[0026]The housing of the control device may be a multi-piece housing
including at least a first portion and a second portion. The first
portion and second portion may be permanently joined together, for
example, bonded together with an adhesive. The housing may be sized and
shaped to be hand-held. A disposable sheath may enclose the respective
pieces or portions forming the housing of the control device.

[0027]Another embodiment of the fluid delivery system is adapted to
deliver multiple injection fluids to a patient and the control device may
be used to control such a multi-fluid delivery system during medical
procedures. In this embodiment, the fluid delivery system includes an
injector for delivering multiple injection fluids to the patient. The
control device is operatively associated with the injector and is adapted
to control multi-fluid delivery from the multi-fluid delivery system.
Accordingly, another embodiment of the control device generally comprises
a housing, a first actuator associated with the housing, an electronic
substrate disposed within the housing, and a second actuator associated
with the housing and operatively associated with the electronic
substrate. The electronic substrate comprises a conductive pattern and
the first actuator is adapted to operatively associate with the
conductive pattern when actuated by a user. The conductive pattern
comprises a plurality of predetermined digital values corresponding to
discrete flow rates of the injection fluids to be delivered by the
injector desirably used in the multi-fluid delivery system such that when
the first actuator is actuated, the first actuator operatively associates
with the conductive pattern and transmits the digital values to the
injector. In use, actuation of the second actuator initiates output
signals to the injector desirably used in the multi-fluid delivery system
corresponding to desired mixture ratios of the injection fluids to be
delivered by the injector.

[0028]The first actuator may be movably associated with the housing for
operatively associating with the conductive pattern. The digital values
may be arranged such that the discrete flow rates are linearly
proportional to distance of movement of the first actuator. Additionally,
the digital values may be arranged such that the discrete flow rates
incrementally increase with distance of movement of the first actuator.
The incremental increase may comprise 5%, 10%, 20%, or any desired
incremental increase with each digital value. The digital values
typically include at least a first digital value corresponding to no
movement of the first actuator and a 0% (i.e., no) discrete flow rate,
and a last digital value corresponding to a maximum movement of the first
actuator and a 100% (i.e., full) discrete flow rate. The last digital
value may correspond to a maximum possible flow rate from the injector.
The first actuator may comprise an actuating member and a contact roller
adapted to operatively associate with the conductive pattern.

[0029]The second actuator may comprise a potentiometer, such as a linear
potentiometer or a rotational potentiometer. Alternatively, the second
actuator may comprise at least one push button. A second electronic
substrate may be disposed within the housing and comprise a conductive
pattern. The second actuator may be adapted to operatively associate with
the conductive pattern on the second electronic substrate when actuated
by the user. The fluid second actuator may also be movably associated
with the housing and comprise an actuating member and a contact roller
adapted to operatively associate with the conductive pattern on the
second electronic substrate.

[0030]A method of controlling a fluid delivery system using the control
device described generally hereinabove is also described in detail
herein. The method may include operatively connecting the control device
to the injector, with the control device adapted to control discrete flow
rates of the injection fluid to be delivered by the injector to the
patient and actuating the control device to transmit one or more
predetermined digital values to the injector to control the discrete flow
rates of the injection fluid delivered by the injector.

[0031]The control device, as indicated previously, may include an actuator
and an electronic substrate comprising a conductive pattern. The actuator
may be adapted for operative association with the conductive pattern and
the conductive pattern may comprise a plurality of predetermined digital
values corresponding to the discrete flow rates of the injection fluid to
be delivered by the injector, such that the step of actuating the control
device may comprise the actuator operatively associating with the
conductive pattern to transmit one or more predetermined digital values
to the injector.

[0032]The actuator may be movable relative to the conductive pattern, such
that the step of actuating the control device may comprise moving the
actuator relative to the conductive pattern. The actuator may comprise a
contact operatively associated with the conductive pattern, such that
when the actuator is moved relative to the conductive pattern the contact
operatively contacts the conductive pattern. The contact may sequentially
access the digital values when the actuator is moved relative to the
conductive pattern. The contact may operatively contact the conductive
pattern by rolling along the surface of the conductive pattern. The
method may further comprise audibly indicating movement of the actuator
relative to the conductive pattern.

[0033]The method may further comprise discontinuing actuation of the
control device, for example, by releasing the actuator, such that the
biasing member returns the actuator to a substantially pre-actuated
position relative to the conductive pattern.

[0034]Furthermore, the control device may further comprise a secondary
actuator adapted to transmit a secondary fluid actuation signal to the
fluid delivery system, and the method may further comprise actuating the
secondary actuator to transmit the secondary fluid actuation signal.

[0035]A variation of the method relates to controlling a multi-fluid
delivery system comprising an injector in one example. In the alternative
method, the method steps include operatively connecting a control device
to the injector, with the control device adapted to control discrete flow
rates of injection fluids to be delivered by the injector to a patient.
Actuating a first actuator associated with the control device desirably
transmits one or more predetermined digital values to the injector to
control the discrete flow rates of the injection fluids delivered by the
injector. Actuating a second actuator associated with the control device
desirably initiates output signals to the injector corresponding to
desired mixture ratios of the injection fluids to be delivered by the
injector.

[0036]As noted in the foregoing, the control device desirably comprises an
electronic substrate comprising a conductive pattern and the first
actuator may be adapted for operative association with the conductive
pattern. The conductive pattern, as noted, comprises, for example, a
plurality of predetermined digital values corresponding to the discrete
flow rates of the injection fluids to be delivered by the injector. Thus,
the step of actuating the first actuator may comprise the first actuator
operatively associating with the conductive pattern to transmit one or
more predetermined digital values to the injector. As further noted in
the foregoing, the first actuator may comprise a contact operatively
associated with the conductive pattern, such that when the first actuator
is moved relative to the conductive pattern the contact operatively
contacts the conductive pattern. The contact may operatively contact the
conductive pattern by rolling along the surface of the conductive
pattern. The contact may sequentially access the digital values when the
first actuator is moved relative to the conductive pattern.

[0037]Moreover, as also noted in the foregoing, a second electronic
substrate may be disposed within the housing and comprise a conductive
pattern. The second actuator may be operatively associated with the
conductive pattern on the second electronic substrate during the step of
actuating the second actuator. As an example, the contact may operatively
contact the conductive pattern by rolling along the surface of the
conductive pattern. Movement of at least one of the first actuator and
the second actuator may be alerted to a user via a sensory indication,
for example, tactile, visual, and/or auditory indications.

[0038]Further details and advantages will become clear when reading the
following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements
throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039]FIG. 1 is perspective view of a control device in accordance with
one embodiment.

[0040]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the control device of FIG.
1.

[0041]FIG. 3 is a side view of a housing of the control device of FIGS. 1
and 2.

[0042]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fluid delivery system
incorporating the control device of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0043]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the control device.

[0044]FIG. 6 is a left side and partial cross-sectional view of the
assembled control device of FIG. 5.

[0045]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of an actuator of
the control device of FIG. 5.

[0046]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the actuator
of FIG. 5, showing a contact roller of the actuator.

[0047]FIG. 9 is a detail and partial cross-sectional view of detail 9 in
FIG. 6.

[0048]FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a control device
adapted to control the mixing of multiple fluids and showing right side
internal details thereof.

[0049]FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the control device of FIG. 10A
showing left side internal details thereof.

[0050]FIG. 10C is an exploded perspective view of the control device of
FIG. 10A.

[0051]FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a mixing
control device and showing right side internal details thereof.

[0052]FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the mixing control device of FIG.
11A showing left side internal details thereof.

[0053]FIG. 11C is an exploded perspective view of the mixing control
device of FIGS. 11A-11B.

[0054]FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a mixing
control device and showing right side internal details thereof.

[0055]FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the mixing control device of FIG.
12A showing left side internal details thereof.

[0056]FIG. 12C is an exploded perspective view of the mixing control
device of FIGS. 12A-12B.

[0057]FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a mixing
control device and showing right side internal details thereof.

[0058]FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the mixing control device of FIG.
13A showing left side internal details thereof.

[0059]FIG. 13C is an exploded perspective view of the mixing control
device of FIGS. 13A-13B.

[0060]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fluid delivery system
incorporating multiple syringes and which illustrates use of a mixing
control device as found in FIGS. 10-13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0061]For purposes of the description hereinafter, spatial or directional
terms, if used, relate to the embodiment, as it is oriented in the
drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may
assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified
to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific apparatus
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following
description, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence,
specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the
embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting.

[0062]A control device 10 according to one embodiment is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2. The control device 10 is desirably configured to be
hand-held, and may be referred to herein as "hand controller 10".
However, this form of the control device 10 is merely exemplary, and the
hand controller 10 may be provided as a foot-controller or a robotic
actuated device, as examples, or simply as an electronic console with one
or more actuating devices, such as buttons, joysticks, and like elements.

[0063]The hand controller 10 is intended for use with an automatic fluid
injection or delivery system 100, such as that generally illustrated in
FIG. 4 discussed herein. The fluid delivery system 100 is used to deliver
fluids to a patient during a medical injection procedure. For example,
the fluid delivery system 100 may be used during an angiographic
procedure to inject contrast media and common flushing agents, such as
saline, into the body of a patient. An example of such a fluid injection
or delivery system is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/982,518, filed on Oct. 18, 2001, assigned to the assignee of the
present application, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. An additional example is disclosed in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/825,866, filed on Apr. 16, 2004, and
entitled "Fluid Delivery System, Fluid Control Device, and Methods
Associated with the Fluid Delivery System and Fluid Control Device", the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The hand controller 10 is generally adapted to interface with one or more
components of the fluid delivery system 100 to control the flow rates of
the fluids, particularly contrast media in the case of angiographic
procedures, to be delivered to the patient.

[0064]The hand controller 10 is generally adapted for electrical
connection with the fluid delivery system 100 and controls the fluid
delivery system 100 once the fluid delivery system 100 is appropriately
programmed to accept input commands from the hand controller 10. More
particularly, the hand controller 10 is adapted to digitally interface
with the fluid delivery system 100 once associated therewith to deliver
input commands to the fluid delivery system 100.

[0065]The hand controller 10 is further generally adapted to receive
discrete physical inputs from a user or operator, select a predetermined
digital value associated with each discrete physical input, and transmit
the selected digital value to the fluid delivery system 100. The
predetermined digital values or commands transmitted to the fluid
delivery system 100 are converted into specific or discrete flow rate
outputs from the fluid delivery system 100 which are delivered to the
patient. Preferably, the digital values are proportional, for example,
linearly proportional, to the user's physical inputs. The patient may be
connected to the fluid delivery system 100 by means customary in the
medical field, such as with a catheter.

[0066]With general reference to FIG. 1, the externally visible components
of the hand controller 10 generally include a housing 12, an actuator 14
associated with the housing 12, a secondary actuator 15 also associated
with the housing 12, and a cable 16 extending from the housing 12. The
placement of these and any other components of the hand controller 10 are
with reference to the presently illustrated embodiment and should not be
construed as limiting.

[0067]Generally, the actuator 14 and the secondary actuator 15 are
disposed at a top end 17 of the housing 12, and the cable 16 extends from
a bottom end 18 of the housing 12. The housing 12 may have an ergonomic
shape, so that the hand controller 10 may be comfortably held in either
the left or right hand by a user, and to allow for single-handed
operation thereof, as generally disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/237,139, filed on Sep. 6, 2002, assigned to the same assignee as
the present application, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein
in its entirety.

[0068]The housing 12 is desirably formed of plastic material, such as a
suitable medical-grade plastic material. Inexpensive materials may be
used for the housing 12 and the other components of the hand controller
10 to be discussed herein, so that the hand controller 10 may be a
disposable item, disposed of, for example, after a preset number of
procedures are conducted using the fluid delivery system 100. The housing
12 is formed to enclose and support the internal components of the hand
controller 10 to be discussed herein. The hand controller 10 weighs in
the range of about 0.25 to 1 pound, so that the hand controller 10 may be
comfortably manipulated by an operator for extended periods of time
without fatigue.

[0069]The cable 16 is generally adapted to transmit input commands in the
form of digital values from the hand controller 10 to the fluid delivery
system 100. The cable 16 may be any suitable type of cable adapted to
digitally transfer the digital values to the fluid delivery system 100.
For example, the cable 16 may be any suitable multiple-strand wiring
cable, such as 6-pin phone cable. The cable 16 terminates in a connector
19 which is adapted to operatively and removably associate the hand
controller 10 with the fluid delivery system 100. The connector 19 may
be, for example, an RJ11 connector with six contacts which allows the end
of the cable 16 distal or remote from the hand controller 10 to have a
positive locking electrical connection with a component of the fluid
delivery system 100.

[0070]With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the internal components of the hand
controller 10 will now be discussed. The housing 12 includes at least a
first portion and a second portion, such as a left side or portion 20 and
a right side or portion 22, respectively. However, the housing 12 may
include any number of pieces or components and is generally intended to
be a multi-piece structure. The housing portions 20, 22 may include one
or more internal rib structures 23 that provide structural support to the
housing portions 20, 22, and support locations for supporting various
internal components of the hand controller 10, as discussed herein. Since
the hand controller 10 may be provided as a disposable device, as
indicated previously, the housing portions 20, 22 may be permanently
secured together with an adhesive bond or a permanent mechanical seal
once the internal components of the hand controller 10 are assembled in
place within the housing 12. Alternatively, the housing portions 20, 22
may be removably secured together by conventional mechanical fasteners
(not shown). The housing portions 20, 22 are desirably formed of plastic
material, for example, a suitable medical-grade plastic material. Any
inexpensive plastic or non-plastic material may be used for the housing
portions 20, 22, further facilitating the disposability of the hand
controller 10.

[0071]The hand controller 10 further includes, internal to the housing 12,
an electronic substrate 24, generally used to store the digital values to
be transmitted via the cable 16 to the fluid delivery system 100. The
electronic substrate 24 may be a conventional printed circuit board and
is generally a rectangular structure that defines opposing top and bottom
holes 25. The electronic substrate 24 is secured to bosses 26 integrally
formed with the housing portion 22 of the housing 12 with conventional
mechanical fasteners, such as screws 27 and washers 28. The body of the
electronic substrate 24 defines one or more wire holes 29 for receiving
one or more corresponding wires 30 of the cable 16 therein. The
connection of the wires 30 with the wire holes 29 provides electrical
connection and electronic data communication between the electronic
substrate 24 and the fluid delivery system 100, once the connector 19 at
the end of the cable 16 is connected to a component of the fluid delivery
system 100. The electronic substrate 24 includes at least an equal number
of wire holes 29 to the number of wires 30 in the cable 16.

[0072]Additionally, the electronic substrate 24 generally includes an
electrical contact arrangement or conductive pattern 32 thereon. The
conductive pattern 32 generally stores the digital values to be
transmitted to the fluid delivery system 100. The digital values are in
the form of binary values that generally correspond to specific or
discrete flow rates to be delivered by the fluid delivery system 100 when
the hand controller 10 is actuated, as discussed herein.

[0073]Generally, the conductive pattern 32, also referred to as a bit map
herein, includes a plurality of columns, such as columns 34a-e, wherein
each of the columns 34a-e includes at least one electrical contact and an
adjoining space. Column 34a is a continual electrical ground contact and
has no spaces. Thus, each of the columns 34b-e includes a combination of
electrical contacts and spaces representing bit values, (i.e., 1 or 0).
For example, from a top to bottom orientation in FIG. 2, column 34b
includes an electrical contact, followed by a space, then followed by
another electrical contact, which is then followed by yet another space,
and finally, another electrical contact occupies the bottom of column
34b. In contrast, column 34d, for example, includes a single electrical
contact that is followed by a single space. As shown in FIG. 2, each
electrical contact and space in each of the columns 34b-e may be of
various lengths.

[0074]A collinear horizontal grouping (i.e., row) of the electrical
contacts and spaces includes the combination of either an electrical
contact or a space from one or more of the columns 34b-e and electrical
ground column 34a, with another electrical contact or space from another
of the columns 34b-e. Thus, the conductive pattern 32 is generally
divided into a plurality of collinear groupings (i.e., rows) of
electrical contacts and spaces or bit values. The bit values for each of
the columns 34b-e defines a specific "preprogrammed" digital or binary
value that is to be transmitted to the fluid control module 100 when
operatively accessed by the actuator 14. Each collinear grouping (i.e.,
row) corresponds to a predetermined gray code (i.e., a series of bit
values). The predetermined or preprogrammed digital or binary values are
desirably linearly arranged within the conductive pattern 32 and
represent corresponding discrete flow rates to be delivered from the
fluid delivery system 100. More specifically, the predetermined or
preprogrammed digital or binary values within the conductive pattern 32
(i.e., collinear rows taken from top to bottom) preferably correspond to
incrementally increasing discrete fluid flow rates to be delivered from
the fluid delivery system 100 when the actuator 14 is actuated, for
example, by the operator of the hand controller 10 moving the actuator 14
relative to the housing 12 as discussed herein. The gray code associated
with the conductive pattern 32, as it relates to the delivery of flow
rates from the fluid delivery system 100, may be generally as follows in
Table 1:

[0075]The fluid delivery system 100 may utilize the foregoing gray code
and the predetermined digital or binary values associated therewith to
incrementally control the flow rate of the injection fluid (i.e.,
contrast media) in relation to a pre-programmed rate, such as 10 mL/s.
For example, the predetermined digital or binary values may correspond to
a predetermined volume per time rate, such as from 0 mL/s to the 10 mL/s
rate, or a predetermined percentage rate of the pre-programmed rate, such
as 0% to 100% of the 10 mL/s rate.

[0076]As is known in the relevant art, gray code does not necessarily have
a subsequent increasing binary value incremented by a bit value in the
proper mathematically logical progression. Therefore, each subsequent
collinear grouping (i.e., row) of the conductive pattern 32 does not need
to conform to standard increasing binary value representation. For
example, a flow rate of 0% may be represented by a collinear grouping
(i.e., row) of four (4) electrical contacts (i.e., 0000) at the top of
the conductive pattern 32. Immediately below this collinear grouping
(i.e., row), the subsequent collinear grouping (i.e., row) may have three
electrical contacts followed by a single space (i.e., 0001), which may
correspond to a flow rate of 10%. The next collinear grouping (i.e.,
row), corresponding to a flow rate of 20%, may have a space followed by
two electrical contacts, followed by another space (i.e., 1001). As the
foregoing illustrates, the collinear groupings (i.e., rows) from the top
to the bottom of the conductive pattern 32 do not necessarily correspond
to standard increasing binary value representation which would normally
yield 0010 as the subsequent binary value for the 20% flow rate as an
example.

[0077]In the present embodiment, the conductive pattern 32 includes eleven
(11) collinear groupings (i.e., rows) to represent flow rates ranging
from 0% to 100%. The first collinear grouping (i.e., digital or binary
value) corresponds to no flow rate and the last collinear grouping (i.e.,
the 11th row) corresponds to 100% or maximum flow rate which may be
the maximum flow rate possible from the fluid delivery system 100 or a
preprogrammed maximum flow rate preprogrammed into or permitted by the
fluid delivery system 100. The respective digital or binary values
programmed in the conductive pattern 32 are accessed by the actuator 14,
the details of which are discussed herein. Generally, the actuator 14 is
movably associated with the housing 12, such that movement of the
actuator 14 accesses the digital or binary values preprogrammed in the
conductive pattern 32.

[0078]The electronic substrate 24 further includes sound producing
structures 36 that are desirably adapted to indicate when movement of the
actuator 14 has taken place. The sound producing structures 36 may be
simple mechanical structures, such as ridges or grooves formed on the
electronic substrate 24 which are engaged by the actuator 14 when the
actuator 14 is moved relative to the housing 12. The sound producing
structures 36 are generally disposed adjacent the conductive pattern 32,
and may be arranged to correspond to the digital or binary values
preprogrammed in the conductive pattern 32 (i.e., correspond to the
collinear groupings).

[0079]Alternatively, the mechanical sound producing structures 36 may be
replaced by an electronic sound producing device in generally the same
location as the mechanical sound producing structures 36. The electronic
sound producing device may be in the form of frequency modulators that
correspond, respectively, to the preprogrammed digital or binary values
in the conductive pattern 32. As indicated, the mechanical sound
producing structures 36 or equivalent electronic sound producing device
are configured to audibly indicate movement of the actuator 14. The
electronic substrate 24 further includes a ground electrical contact 37
that is in electrical contact with a corresponding ground wire of the
cable 16.

[0080]The actuator 14 generally includes an actuating member 38, generally
in the form of a plunger which is movably associated with the housing 12
and a contact 40 that is generally adapted to operatively associate with
the conductive pattern 32. The body of the actuating member 38 is formed
with a rod portion 41 and depending slide rails 42, 43. The end of the
rod portion 41 includes a finger pad 44 for the operator of the hand
controller 10 to place his or finger, thumb or palm (i.e., with two
fingers under the flange portion of housing portions 20, 22) to actuate
the actuator 14. The slide rails 42, 43 are sufficiently spaced apart to
slidably accommodate the electronic substrate 24 therebetween. In
particular, the slide rails 42, 43 each define a guide track 45 for
slidably receiving opposing lateral sides 24l, 24r of the electronic
substrate 24 which enables the actuating member 38 to move up and down
relative to the electronic substrate 24. The opposing guide tracks 45
defined by the respective slide rails 42, 43 preferably extend the length
of the slide rails 42, 43.

[0081]The contact 40 is secured to the actuating member 38 by mechanical
fasteners, such as screws 46 and cooperating washers 47. The screws 46
cooperate with holes 48 defined in the contact 40 and, further, may
cooperate in a friction fit manner with corresponding holes 49 defined in
an attachment plate or flange 50 connected to the actuating member 38 and
generally extending between the slide rails 42, 43. The contact 40
further includes a plurality of contact fingers 52 for contacting the
conductive pattern 32 on the electronic substrate 24. The contact fingers
52 are adapted to contact the preprogrammed digital or binary values
(i.e., collinear groupings) on the electronic substrate 24. Generally,
the actuator 14 accesses the preprogrammed digital or binary values when
an operator of the hand controller 10 engages and depresses the finger
pad 44 associated with the rod portion 41 which causes the actuating
member 38 to depress into the housing 12. The contact 40 of the actuator
14 will progress sequentially from the first discrete digital or binary
value (i.e., collinear grouping 1) to subsequent discrete digital or
binary values (i.e. collinear groupings 2-11) as the operator presses
downward on the finger pad 44. The contact fingers 52 establish the
electrical connection with the respective digital or binary values which
are transmitted to the fluid delivery system 100 via the cable 16. More
specifically, the finger contacts 52 may contact either an electrical
contact or a space in each of the columns 34b-e in the conductive pattern
32.

[0082]A biasing assembly 54 is associated with the actuator 14, and is
disposed within the housing 12. The biasing assembly 54 is generally
adapted to bias the actuator 14 against movement relative to the housing
12. The biasing assembly 54 is further adapted to provide increasing
tactile resistance to the operator of the hand controller 10 the farther
the actuating member 38 is moved (i.e., depressed into the housing 12).
The biasing assembly 54 generally biases or tensions the rod portion 41
upward away from the electronic substrate 24.

[0083]The biasing assembly 54 generally includes a mandrel 56 associated
with a compression spring 58. However, it will be apparent that suitable
mechanically equivalent structures may be used in place of the mandrel 56
and compression spring 58 arrangement shown in FIG. 2, and discussed
herein. The mandrel 56 generally has a first end 61 associated with the
spring 58 and a second end 62 formed with an abutment flange 64. The
abutment flange 64 is generally adapted to engage a corresponding surface
or structure in the right portion 22 of the housing 12 which will allow
the actuating member 38 to compress the spring 58 as the actuating member
38 is depressed into the housing 12 by the operator of the hand
controller 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, one of the ribs 23 in
housing portion 22 of the housing 12 may be formed with an engagement
ledge 65 against which the abutment flange 64 contacts or rests to allow
the actuating member 38 to compress the spring 58 as the actuating member
38 is depressed into the housing 12. The engagement ledge 65 may be
recessed as illustrated in FIG. 2 to permit a mating engagement with the
abutment flange 64.

[0084]The spring 58 is desirably configured such that the farther the
actuating member 38 is depressed into the housing 12, the greater biasing
force the operator of the hand controller 10 will experience. The first
end 61 of the mandrel 56 is associated with the spring 58 and desirably
acts as a spring-guide to prevent buckling of the spring 58 when the
actuating member 38 is depressed.

[0085]The secondary actuator 15 is positioned generally adjacent the main
actuator 14 and is generally adapted to provide an actuation signal to
the fluid delivery system 100 to cause the fluid delivery system 100 to
deliver a secondary injection fluid to the patient. Such a secondary
fluid may include saline supplied from a source of saline associated with
the fluid delivery system 100. Saline is a common flushing agent used
during medical injection procedures such as angiography. The secondary
actuator 15 generally includes a control button 66 operatively associated
with a switch 68 having leads 69 which are connected to the electronic
substrate 24, for example, by wires. The control button 66 is adapted for
connection to housing portion 20 of the housing 12, such as by a pivotal
connection therewith. The control button 66 is further generally adapted
to contact or engage with the switch 68 when the control button 66 is
depressed by the operator of the hand controller 10. Two switch wires
(not shown) may connect the leads 69 to the wires holes 29 of the
electronic substrate 24. Generally, when the operator of the hand
controller 10 wants to initiate delivery of the secondary injection
fluid, the operator depresses the control button 66 which engages the
switch 68. The switch 68 then initiates the actuation signal which is
transmitted to the fluid delivery system 100 via the electronic substrate
24 and the cable 16.

[0086]With reference to FIGS. 2-4, one general method of assembling the
hand controller 10 will now be discussed. Initially, the secondary
actuator 15 may be assembled to the housing 12. This is accomplished by
connecting the control button 66 with the left portion 20 of the housing
12 and positioning the switch 68 in a switch receiving pocket 70 defined
by housing portion 20 of the housing 12. The switch receiving pocket 70
is defined by the internal rib structures 23 in housing portion 20 of the
housing 12. The leads 69 from the switch 68 may then be associated with
the electronic substrate 24 by suitable wiring.

[0087]Next, the wires 30 of the cable 16 may be secured in the
corresponding wire holes 29 in the electronic substrate 24. A portion of
the cable 16 will generally be retained within the right portion 22 of
the housing 12, generally behind the electronic substrate 24. A cable tie
71 may be used to secure this portion of the cable 16 to provide strain
relief. The tied portion of the cable 16 to be retained in housing
portion 22 of the housing 12 is located in a cavity 72 defined by housing
portion 22 of the housing 12. The electronic substrate 24 is used to
secure the tied portion of the cable 16 when the electronic substrate 24
is secured to housing portion 22 of the housing 12 with screws 27 and
washers 28.

[0088]The actuator 14 may be pre-assembled prior to being received in the
housing 12. The actuator 14 is generally assembled by connecting the
contact 40 to the attachment plate 50 extending between the slide rails
42, 43 with the screws 46 and cooperating washers 47. Thereafter, the
biasing assembly 54 may be associated with the actuator 14. In
particular, the compression spring 58 is placed about the mandrel 56 and
the first end 61 of the mandrel 56 is located between the slide rails 42,
43, so that the compression spring 58 is in position to operatively
associate with the actuating member 38. The slide rails 42, 43 generally
define a receiving pocket 74 for the compression spring 58 and the first
end 61 of the mandrel 56.

[0089]The actuator 14 and biasing assembly 54 may be placed in housing
portion 22 of the housing 12 so that the abutment flange 64 on the
mandrel 56 contacts the engagement ledge 65 defined by one of the
internal rib structures 23 in housing portion 22. The actuator 14 is
associated with the electronic substrate 24 as the actuator 14 is
assembled in housing portion 22 of the housing 12 by receiving the
opposing sides 24l, 24r thereof in guide tracks 45 defined in the slide
rails 42, 43. The slidable engagement of the actuator 14 with the
electronic substrate 24 allows the contact 40 of the actuator 14 to
operatively associate with the conductive pattern 32. After applying a
suitable adhesive to one or both of housing portions 20, 22 of the
housing 12, the housing portions 20, 22 may be aligned, closed upon each
other, and bonded together with adhesive or mechanical fastening.

[0090]With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the operation of the hand controller 10
will now be discussed according to the above-discussed embodiment. As
indicated previously, the hand controller 10 is intended for use with the
automatic fluid delivery system 100 which is generally illustrated in
FIG. 4. The fluid delivery system 100 generally includes a powered
injector 102 that is adapted to support and actuate a syringe 104 used to
inject an injection fluid to a patient during a medical procedure, such
as an angiographic procedure. The following operational discussion of the
hand controller 10 will be with reference to an angiographic procedure
involving the fluid delivery system 100 and how the hand controller 10
controls the delivery of the injection fluid from the fluid delivery
system 100 to the patient. In typical angiographic procedures, the
injection fluid is contrast media and such procedures typically further
include saline as an additional or secondary injection fluid or flushing
agent that is supplied to the patient.

[0091]The injector 102 is operatively associated with a fluid control
module 106. The fluid control module 106 is generally adapted to support
a fluid path set 108 that is generally adapted to fluidly connect the
syringe 104 to a source of contrast media 109. The fluid path set 108
further connects the syringe 104 to a catheter (not shown) which is
associated with the patient for supplying the contrast media and saline
to the patient. The fluid path set 108 is further connected to a source
of saline 110 which is supplied to the patient via the same catheter as
the contrast media. The contrast media flow from the syringe 104 and the
saline flow to the patient is regulated by the fluid control module 106
which controls the various valves and flow regulating structures in the
fluid path set 108 to regulate the delivery of contrast media and saline
to the patient based on the digital values provided by the hand
controller 10. The hand controller 10 is shown connected to the fluid
control module 106 in FIG. 4. However, the hand controller 10 could also
be connected directly with the injector 102. The injector 102 and the
fluid control module 106 are desirably in electronic data communication
and the choice of associating the hand controller 10 with either the
injector 102 or the fluid control module 106 primarily depends on the
computer hardware and software associated with the injector 102 and/or
the fluid control module 106. The injector 102 is generally used to
supply the contrast media under pressure to the fluid path set 108 and,
ultimately, the patient. The injector 102 is controlled by the hand
controller 10 to supply the contrast media at discrete and preselected
flow rates based on the physical inputs to the hand controller 10, as
indicated previously.

[0092]To use the hand controller 10 with the fluid delivery system 100,
the operator connects the cable 16 to the fluid control module 106 via
the connector 19 at the end of the cable 16. The fluid control module 106
and injector 102 are programmed and set-up to receive input commands from
the hand controller 10. Once the hand controller 10 is appropriately
placed in electronic data communication with the fluid control module 106
and the injector 102 is appropriately primed with contrast media and/or
saline, the operator may actuate the hand controller 10. It is assumed
for the sake of expedience in explaining operation of the hand controller
10 that all necessary steps have been accomplished to fill the syringe
104 with contrast media and place the syringe 104 and the source of
saline 110 in fluid communication with a patient via a catheter or other
similar structure. Thus, the discussion herein regarding how the hand
controller 10 controls the flow rate of contrast media and the supply of
saline to the patient is with respect to an appropriately primed and
programmed fluid delivery system 100.

[0093]To actuate the hand controller 10, the operator places his or her
finger, thumb, or palm on the finger pad 44 disposed at the end of the
rod portion 41 of the actuating member 38 of the actuator 14. As the
actuating member 38 is depressed into the housing 12, the contact 40
moves from an initial, preactuated position generally associated with the
first discrete digital or binary value in the conductive pattern 32 to
another discrete digital or binary value, such as the second digital or
binary value in the conductive pattern 32. The first discrete digital or
binary position corresponds to a flow rate of 0% from the injector 102,
and the second discrete digital or binary value corresponds, for example,
to an incrementally increased flow rate of 10% flow rate from the
injector 102. When the contact 40 of the actuator 14 is in the initial or
preactuated position, the digital or binary value of 0% flow rate
associated therewith is continuously transmitted to the fluid control
module 106 via the cable 16 and which interfaces electronically with the
injector 102, for example, by relaying the digital or binary value to the
injector 102 which instructs the injector 102 not to actuate the syringe
104 and deliver fluid flow to the fluid path set 108. The biasing
assembly 54 is associated with the actuator 14 as discussed in
previously, and biases the actuating member 38 toward the initial or
preactuated position, so that the initial or preactuated position of the
actuating member 38 is the neutral or default position for the actuator
14, wherein no fluid flow is provided to the patient. Thus, if the
operator for any reason discontinues pressure on the finger pad 44, the
actuator 14 will automatically return to the neutral or default position
where flow of contrast media is immediately discontinued.

[0094]When the contact 40 is in any other position with respect to the
conductive pattern 32, the digital or binary value corresponding to that
position is transmitted to the fluid control module 106 through the cable
16. It will generally be understood that as pressure is applied or
released to the finger pad 44, the contact 40 will move freely up and
down in contact with the conductive pattern 32, and output the various
digital or binary values in the conductive pattern 32 to the fluid
control module 106 which transmits the various digital or binary values
as control signals to the injector 102. The injector 102 responds to the
digital or binary values by supplying the contrast media at specific,
discrete flow rates corresponding to a received digital or binary value
until a new digital or binary values is received. Thus, the hand
controller 10 generally takes an operator's physical inputs and selects
or "looks up" a predetermined digital value associated with those inputs
and digitally transmits the digital values to the injector 102 which
responds to the digital values by delivering contrast media at
pre-selected discrete flow rates corresponding to the digital values.

[0095]The hand controller 10 significantly improves over the prior art
hand controllers, discussed previously, because the prior art hand
controllers are limited to continuously converting user physical (i.e.,
analog) inputs to digital outputs, without any means or method of
regulating or dampening the output from the injector. In practice, it is
known that even experienced operators of angiographic injection apparatus
may over-inject contrast media into a patient's body during such
procedures. In contrast, the hand controller 10 is adapted such that in
each position of the physical structure used to make inputs to the hand
controller 10 (i.e., the actuator 14) the position directly corresponds
to a discrete digital value with no analog to digital conversion
required. As the operator makes physical inputs to the actuator 14, the
injector 102 will respond with discrete, stepped changes in flow rate
which are more easily monitored and controlled by the operator than the
continuously variable flow rates provided by the prior art as shown and
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,045. The prior art hand
control devices discussed previously can lead to large swings in flow
rates delivered to the patient, and the possible over-delivery of
contrast media.

[0096]At any time during the injection procedure, the operator may depress
the secondary actuator 15 to deliver a saline flush to the patient. To
initiate the saline flush, the control button 66 is depressed which
initiates an actuation signal, for example, a saline start signal.
Specifically, when the control button 66 is depressed, the control button
66 physically interacts with the switch 68 which initiates the actuation
signal to the fluid control module 106. The actuation signal is
transmitted via the electronic substrate 24 and the cable 16 to the fluid
control module 106 which begins delivering saline from the source of
saline 110 to the patient. If the primary actuator is actuated and the
secondary actuator is then actuated or vice versa, the injector 102 will
ignore the additional actuation. The secondary actuator 15 may be
configured such that release of the control button 66 automatically
ceases delivery of saline to the patient. Alternatively, the secondary
actuator 15 may be configured such that a second depression of the
control button 66 again will transmit a fluid stop signal to the fluid
delivery system 100 which causes the fluid control module 106 to cease
delivering saline.

[0097]It will generally be understood by those skilled in the art that the
various signals transmitted by the hand controller 10 may be interpreted
by the fluid control module 106 and/or injector 102 as either discrete
flow or fixed flow signals depending on how the fluid control module 106
and/or injector 102 are initially programmed. For example, the discrete
flow signals may range from 0% to 100% of the preprogrammed flow rate.
Alternatively, the fixed flow control signal may be 60% of the
preprogrammed flow rate, such that when the actuating member 38 is in any
position past the initial or preactuated position a fixed flow signal is
automatically transmitted to the fluid delivery system 100.

[0098]In order to maintain sterility and prevent contamination, the hand
controller 10 may utilize a sterile sheath 80 (See FIG. 1), which is
configured as a generally form-fittingly envelope enclosing at least the
housing 12 of the hand controller 10. The sterile sheath 80 may enclose
the actuator 14 and cable 16 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. The
sterile sheath 80 may be transparent and is not intended to impair any
operator functions of the hand controller 10. This optional sterile
sheath 80 may be made of inexpensive material, desirably plastic, and
disposed after each use of the hand controller 10, extending the usable
"disposable" life of the hand controller 10.

[0099]The hand controller 10, upon actuation of the actuator 14, generally
provides a variety of physical and/or auditory cues for relaying to the
operator an indication that the hand controller 10 is operational. In
particular, the hand controller 10 is adapted to indicate to the operator
the distance of movement or length of travel of the actuating member 38
within the housing 12 when the finger pad 44 is depressed by the
operator. The distance of movement of the actuating member 38 will
intuitively tell the operator how fast the flow rate of contrast media
will be and, consequently, how much contrast media is being delivered to
the patient by the injector 102.

[0100]The distance of movement may be audibly ascertained by the
engagement of the contact 40 with the sound producing structures 36
(i.e., ridges or grooves) on the electronic substrate 24, or by
engagement of the contact 40 with an equivalent electronic sound
producing on the electronic substrate 24. The engagement of the contact
40 with the sound producing structures 36 will make a clicking sound or
other audible cue, and the engagement of the contact 40 with the
electronic sound producing device will make an electronically generated
sound or tone. In each case, the sound produced will give an indication
as to the length or distance of movement of the actuating member 38
relative to the housing 12 and, hence, the corresponding flow rate
delivered by the fluid delivery system 100.

[0101]Additionally, the sound producing structures 36 are raised from or
indented sufficiently into the electronic substrate 24 such that the
engagement of the contact 40 with the sound producing structures 36
provides the operator with tactile feedback indicating the length,
distance, or progression of movement of the actuating member 38 relative
to the housing 12 (i.e., depression of the actuating member 38 in the
housing 12). As generally indicated, the producing structures 36 may be
formed as grooves, recesses, or indentations in the electronic substrate
24. Thus, the operator will experience tactile feedback that corresponds
to the flow rate that will be delivered by the fluid delivery system 100
due to the engagement of the contact 40 with the sound producing
structures 36.

[0102]Further, the biasing assembly 54 associated with the actuator 14
will provide immediate tactile feedback in the form of increasing
resistive pressure as the actuating member 38 is depressed into the
housing 12. Thus, the further the actuating member 38 is depressed into
the housing 12, the more resistive force the operator will feel. The
increasing resistance will provide immediate physical feedback that flow
rate is increasing in the fluid path set 108 associated with the patient.
The increasing resistance intuitively tells the operator that flow rate
is increasing.

[0103]An alternative, second embodiment of the hand controller 10a is
shown in FIGS. 5-9. The hand controller 10a is substantially functionally
identical to the foregoing embodiment of the hand controller 10. The
housing 12a of the hand controller 10a has the same external appearance
as the housing 12 of the foregoing embodiment of the hand controller 10,
and includes housing sides or portions 20a, 22a. The housing 12a is
constructed of similar materials as the housing 12 in the foregoing
embodiment. When the housing portions 20a, 22a are joined to enclose the
internal components of the hand controller 10a, the visible components of
the hand controller 10a, including the actuating member 38a, finger pad
44a, control button 66a, and cable 16a have generally the same external
appearance as the forgoing embodiment of the hand controller 10. The
internal components of the hand controller 10a have a slightly different
configuration and arrangement from the foregoing embodiment of the hand
controller 10, and these differences will now be discussed with reference
generally to FIGS. 5-9.

[0104]Initially, it is noted that the cable 16a used in the hand
controller 10a is identical to the cable 16 discussed previously. The
housing portions 20a, 22a also include one or more internal rib
structures 23a that provide structural support to the housing portions
20a, 22a, and support locations for supporting various internal
components of the hand controller 10a. As with the foregoing embodiment,
the rib structures 23a are generally adapted to support the internal
components of the of the hand controller 10a in housing portion 22a of
the housing 12a. However, it will apparent when comparing FIGS. 2 and 5
that the arrangement of the rib structures 23a is formed slightly
differently from the rib structures 23 discussed previously. In both
cases, however, the rib structures 23, 23a in housing portions 22, 22a
are generally adapted to support the internal components of the hand
controller 10a, as indicated.

[0105]Housing portion 22a of the housing 12a includes posts 204 in place
of bosses 26. The posts 204 are adapted to mate or engage corresponding
receptacles 206 formed internally in housing portion 20a of the housing
12a. The connection between the posts 204 and receptacles may be a
compression friction fit. Thus, the housing portions 20a, 22a may be
permanently secured together via a compression fit between the posts 204
and receptacles 206, once the internal components of the hand controller
10a have been assembled in place within the housing 12a.

[0106]The electronic substrate 24a of the hand controller 10a is analogous
in construction and operation to the electronic substrate 24 of the first
embodiment of the hand controller 10. Thus, the electronic substrate 24a
includes the same conductive pattern 32a and wire holes 29a as found on
the electronic substrate 24. However, unlike the previous electronic
substrate 24, the current electronic substrate 24a lacks the sound
producing structures 36. Additionally, the holes 25a defined in the
electronic substrate 24a are now adapted to accept the posts 204
extending from housing portion 22a of the housing 12a to mount the
electronic substrate 24a in position within housing portion 22a and
within the housing 12a generally. The hand controller 10a also uses an
analogous electrical connection between the control button 66a and the
electronic substrate 24a. As with the control button 66 discussed
previously, the control button 66a is adapted for a pivotal association
with the housing 12a. However, the control button 66a is now adapted for
pivotal association with housing portion 22a of the housing 12a rather
than housing portion 20a of the housing 12a, as was the case in the hand
controller 10. The cable 16a is electrically connected to the electronic
substrate 24a by associating the wires 30a of the cable 16a with the wire
holes 29a in the electronic substrate 24a.

[0107]The sound producing structures 36a of the hand controller 10a are
provided in a different location from the first embodiment of the hand
controller 10. Specifically, the sound producing structures 36a are now
provided on one of the rib structures 23a in housing portion 22a of the
housing 12a. The sound producing structures 36a may again be formed as
ridges or grooves. However, the sound producing structures 36a may
further be formed as angled indents or recesses in the rib structure 23a
as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9. If the sound producing structures 36a are
formed as ridges or similar raised structures, such raised structures may
be formed as angled or pointed tabs on the rib structure 23a.
Additionally, the "raised" version of the sound producing structures 36a
may be formed integrally with the rib structure 23a, or provided as
separate structures secured to the rib structure 23a. Additionally, the
sound producing structures 36a may be provided in any convenient location
within the housing 12a. For example, the sound producing structures 36a
may be arranged within the same vertical plane and spaced in parallel
relation to the electronic substrate 24a. As indicated previously, the
sound producing structures 36a provide the user with an auditory and
tactile indication of the actuation of the hand controller 10a. The sound
producing structures 36a are physically engaged by a portion of the
actuator 14a, as will be discussed further herein, to produce the
auditory and tactile indications to the user. As further indicated
previously, the sound producing structures 36a may be replaced by a
generally equivalent electronic sound producing device.

[0108]The actuator 14a of the hand controller 10a has a similar overall
external appearance to the actuator 14 discussed previously. However, the
actuator 14a is configured to operatively associate with the conductive
pattern 32 in a slightly different manner than the actuator 14 discussed
previously. One difference between the actuator 14a and the actuator 14
discussed previously lies in the form of the contact 40a. An additional
difference relates to the form and construction of the actuating member
38a of the actuator 14a and how the actuating member 38a supports the
contact 40a. A further difference relates to the way the actuator 14a
interacts with the sound producing structures 36a now disposed in housing
portion 22a of the housing 12a. A still further difference relates to the
location and configuration of the biasing assembly 54a of the actuator
14a. Each of the foregoing differences and others will be discussed in
detail herein.

[0109]Beginning with the actuating member 38a, the actuating member 38a
exhibits the same general "plunger" form and operation as the actuating
member 38 discussed previously. The slide rails 42a, 43a of the actuating
member 38a are spaced apart to accept the electronic substrate 24a
therebetween. However, the slide rails 42a, 43a no longer define guide
tracks 45 for slidably accepting the electronic substrate 24a.
Accordingly, the side rails 42a, 43a will be referred to hereinafter
simply as "rails 42a, 43a". The rails 42a, 43a define a generally
rectangular-shaped receiving pocket 208 for accommodating the electronic
substrate 24a. The rod portion 41a of the actuating member 38a is formed
integrally with the rails 42a, 43a in a similar manner to the actuating
member 38 discussed previously. Since the electronic substrate 24a is
fixedly mounted on the posts 204 when the portions 20a, 22a of the
housing 12a are joined together, the receiving pocket 208 is sized
sufficiently to allow the actuating member 38a to move up and down
relative to the electronic substrate 24a (i.e., slidably along the
electronic substrate 24a).

[0110]The actuating member 38a is generally configured to support an
alternative embodiment or variation of the contact 40 discussed
previously. The contact 40 described previously is formed generally as a
plate-like structure or member and is secured to the actuating member 38
with mechanical fasteners 46, 47. The contact 40 included contact fingers
52 for interacting with the electronic substrate 24 and sound producing
structures 36.

[0111]In the present embodiment, the actuating member 38a is also
configured to support the contact 40a, but the contact 40a now is in the
form of a contact roller and will be referred to hereinafter as "contact
roller 40a". The contact roller 40a includes a roller 210 rotatably
mounted on an axle 212. The axle 212 is in turn rotatably supported by
the actuating member 38a. In the present embodiment, the actuating member
38a is specifically adapted to rotatably support the contact roller 40a.
The roller 210 is constructed of resilient and conductive material, such
as conductive rubber. For example, the roller 210 may be a silicone based
extruded elastomer having a silver-copper blend filing. However, the
roller 210 may be made of any suitable conductive material, such as metal
and, in particular, aluminum.

[0112]To support the contact roller 40a, the rails 42a, 43a of the
actuating member 38a include extended support members 214, 216 adapted to
rotatably support the axle 212. The support members 214, 216 may be
integral, extended portions of the respective rails 42a, 43a. The support
members 214, 216 define opposing notches or recesses 218 for rotatably
supporting the ends of the axle 212. The support members 214, 216 further
include guide tabs or ramps 220 disposed immediately adjacent the notches
218 to guide entry of the ends of the axle 212 into the notches 218 when
the actuator 14a is assembled.

[0113]The support members 214, 216 define longitudinal gaps 222 with
distal ends 224, 226 of the rails 42a, 43a. The longitudinal gaps 222
allow the respective support members 214, 216 to flex relative to the
distal ends 224, 226 of the rails 42a, 43a when the contact roller 40a is
mounted to the support members 214, 216 and engaged with the electronic
substrate 24a. When the actuator 14a is assembled and mounted in place
between the housing portions 20a, 22a of the housing 12a, the actuating
member 38a including the rails 42a, 43a and support members 214, 216 are
movable up and down within the housing 12a in the manner explained in
detail previously in connection with the hand controller 10. However, due
to the engagement of the roller 210 with the electronic substrate 24a in
the present embodiment, the support members 214, 216 will be flexed
outward (i.e., generally transversely) a small distance from the rails
42a, 43a and, more particularly, outward from the distal ends 224, 226 of
the rails 42a, 43a. The "flexure" of the support members 214, 216 is
caused by sizing the distance between the root of the notches 218 and the
surface of the electronic substrate 24a slightly smaller than the
diameter of the roller 210. As a result, when the axle 212 is mounted in
the notches 218 and the electronic substrate 24a is fixed to the posts
204, the roller 210 through the axle 212 will cause the support members
214, 216 to flex or cantilever away from the distal ends 224, 226 of the
rails 42a, 43a. This flexure applies a return or "back" pressure on the
roller 210 through the axle 212. The back pressure on the roller 210
causes the resilient material of the roller 210 to deform and "mold" into
engagement with the conductive pattern 32a on the electronic substrate
24a, resulting in a generally improved electrical contact between the
contact roller 40a and conductive pattern 32a. The resiliency of the
material forming the roller 210 and applied back pressure allows the
roller 210 to accommodate height variances present in the electrical
contacts or columns 34a-e forming the conductive pattern 32a. However,
the back pressure is not significant enough to impede rotation of the
roller 210 along the surface of the electronic substrate 24a.

[0114]The actuating member 38a and, by extension, the support members 214,
216 and rails 42a, 43a are made of a resiliently deformable or
deflectable material such as plastic to allow for the flexure of the
support members 214, 216. It will be generally understood that the back
pressure or "flexure" force applied by the support members 214, 216 will
be proportional to the flexibility of the material forming the actuating
member 38a. The support members 214, 216 do not necessarily have to be
formed integrally with the rails 42a, 43a and could be provided as
separate elements that are secured to the rails 42a, 43a. Alternatively,
since the support members 214, 216 are generally adapted to bias the
roller 210 into engagement with the electronic substrate 24a, the support
members 214, 216 could be replaced by a suitable mechanically equivalent
biasing structure associated with the axle 212 and roller 210 to bias the
roller 210 into engagement with the electronic substrate 24a. Such an
arrangement could include one or more biasing elements, such as
compression or leaf springs, associated with the axle 212 to bias the
roller 210 into engagement with the electronic substrate 24a.

[0115]The contact roller 40a when biased into engagement with the
electronic substrate 24a by the arrangement described hereinabove exerts
a continuous and consistent pressure over the surface of the electronic
substrate 24a and, specifically, the conductive pattern 32a. However, as
indicated, the roller 210 is not impeded to a degree that would prevent
the roller 210 from rotating on the axle 212 and rolling along the
surface of the electronic substrate 24a based on inputs from the user or
biasing assembly 54a to be discussed hereinbelow. As with the contact 40
discussed previously having contact fingers 52, the roller 210 of the
contact 40a allows for selective shorting across the conductive pattern
32a to allow sequential access to the predetermined digital values in the
conductive pattern 32a when the actuating member 38a is actuated by a
user.

[0116]The biasing assembly 54a is provided in a different location from
the biasing assembly 54 discussed previously, but includes the same
general components as the earlier embodiment of the biasing assembly 54
and is functionally identical to the biasing assembly 54 discussed
previously. The mandrel 56a is now formed integrally with the actuating
member 38a. The mandrel 56a is located adjacent and generally parallel to
rail 42a and is disposed substantially within housing portion 22a of the
housing 12a when the hand controller 10a is assembled. However, the
mandrel 56a may be associated with the actuating member 38a in any
convenient location to allow for the biasing of the actuating member 38a
to the neutral or no-flow position described previously in connection
with the hand controller 10. The spring 58a is associated with the
mandrel 56a in a similar manner to the mandrel 56 and spring 58 discussed
previously. However, as will be clear when viewing FIG. 5, the mandrel
58a no longer engages a ledge formed on one of the rib structures 23a,
but extends through a recess 228 defined in one of the rib structures 23a
in housing portion 22a of the housing 12a. In particular, the rib
structures 23a in the right portion 12a generally define an internal
pocket 230 for receiving both the spring 58a and mandrel 56a. The bottom
of the internal pocket 230 forms a ledge 232 for supporting one end of
the spring 58a. The ledge 232 is similar in function to the ledge 65
described previously in connection with the hand controller 10. However,
in the present embodiment, the spring 58a now acts between the ledge 232
and an upper cross member 234 of the actuating member 38a. Thus, when the
mandrel 56a is moved downward in the internal pocket 230 as the actuating
member 38a is depressed into the housing 12a by a user, the compression
spring 58 is compressed within the internal pocket 230. The compression
spring 58a provides a counteracting biasing force against the downward
movement, and biases the actuating member 38a to the neutral or no-flow
position discussed previously.

[0117]The actuating member 38a further includes an additional structure
236 for interacting with the sound producing structures 36a now provided
on/in one of the rib structures 23a in the right portion 22a of the
housing 12a. The "sound producing" structure 236 generally includes one
longitudinal member 238 connected to the cross member 234 of the
actuating member 38a and one transverse member 240 interconnecting the
distal ends 224, 226 of the rails 42a, 43a. The transverse member 240
provides structural reinforcement to the distal ends 224, 226 of the
rails 42a, 43a.

[0118]The longitudinal member 238 includes a raised tab (or detent) 242
that engages with the sound producing structures 36a. The tab 242 is
angled or pointed to engage the raised, angled ridges or V-shaped indents
or grooves forming the sound producing structures 36a. The raised ridges
or V-shaped indents or grooves forming the sound producing structures 36a
may be formed in a manner to generally correspond to the tab 242. The
engagement of the tab 242 with the sound producing structures 36a will
produce a distinct "clicking" sound as these elements engage one another.
This engagement will also be tactilely apparent to the user of the hand
controller 10a as the opposing tabs move over one another. Thus, the
engagement of the tab 242 with the corresponding sound producing
structures 36a provides both audible and tactile feedback to the user of
the hand controller 10a during a fluid injection procedure. Other than
the internal differences between the hand controller 10a discussed in the
forgoing paragraphs, there is substantially no difference in operation
between the two hand controllers 10, 10a.

[0119]As noted earlier in this disclosure, the concept of diluting
contrast with saline is gaining in popularity in the medical imaging
industry. For example, a medical practitioner for a diagnostic,
interventional, or therapeutic procedure may be concerned with the amount
of contrast media to be delivered to the patient, for example, if the
patient has some preexisting condition that could lead to
contrast-induced nephropathy and other medical complications. While the
following discussion relates to the mixing of contrast and saline this
should not be deemed limiting as the fluid delivery system 100 may be
used to inject fluids other than contrast and saline. For example, in
certain applications it may be desirable to "mix" a radiopharmaceutical
fluid, for example, with saline and inject this mixture into a patient
using the fluid delivery system 100. Accordingly, hand controllers 10,
10a may be adapted to allow the operator to dilute contrast media (or
another fluid) to a point where radiographic images are still useful but
also reduce the overall amount of contrast media delivered. Such a
modification to hand controllers 10, 10a may be used in diagnostic,
interventional, or therapeutic procedures so that valuable images are
obtained while limiting the total amount of contrast delivered to the
patient which, as indicated, may have particular advantage for more
distressed patients (diabetics, etc.) undergoing such procedures.

[0120]As further indicated previously, such mixing may be real-time and
the modified hand control devices 10, 10a may allow both real-time
variability of flow rate and variability of contrast media/saline mix (or
of any two desired fluids). The modified, mixing control devices 10, 10a,
to be discussed herein, will interface with automatic fluid injection or
delivery system 100 generally in the same manner described previously and
system 100 will act upon the signals outputted by the control device 10,
10a to operate, for example, in a fully contrast delivery mode, fully
saline delivery mode, or a hybrid mixing mode wherein contrast and saline
(or any two or more fluids) are concurrently delivered to the patient in
fixed ratios. For the purposes of illustration, several mixing control
modifications 300 to control device 10a are described herein in
connection with FIGS. 10-13. Each modification 300 is adapted provide the
operator with the ability to control the ratio of contrast to saline via
manual control apparatus desirably provided on the body of the control
device 10a. However, it will be generally clear that each modification
300 maintains the previous operational characteristics associated with
control device 10a. Similar modifications may be applied to control
device 10 if desired.

[0121]In a first modification 300a to control device 10a shown in FIGS.
10A-10C, the ratio of contrast to saline is controlled by a linear
potentiometer 302a having a slider 304a. It will be understood that
actuating member 38a operates in the manner described previously in this
disclosure to control the overall flow rate of fluid delivered by fluid
delivery system 100, which may be fully contrast, fully saline, or a
mixture thereof. Linear potentiometer 302a is electrically connected to
electronic substrate 24a. As is well-known in the electronics field,
potentiometers are used to produce a variable amount of resistance
depending on the position of a slider. In the present embodiment, the
linear potentiometer 302a electrically interfaces with electronic
substrate 24a so movement of the slider 304a produces a range of output
signals from electronic substrate 24a that is outputted via cable 16a to
the fluid delivery system 100 and instructs the same to operate, for
example, in a contrast delivery mode, a saline delivery mode, and a
"mixing" mode comprising contrast-saline mixture ratios defined by the
position of the slider 304a. Such output signals may be continuously
variable and interpreted continuously by the control unit(s) of the
components of the fluid delivery system 100 and result in continuously
variable changes in the contrast to saline mixture. Alternatively, such
output signals may be discretely interpreted by the control unit(s) of
the components of the fluid delivery system 100 in that movement of the
slider 304a provides inputs to the electronic substrate 24a which will
yield output signals that result in specified or predefined ratios of
contrast to saline mixtures to be outputted from the fluid delivery
system 100. In this latter operational mode, the fluid delivery system
100 and, more particularly, the control unit(s) of the fluid delivery
system 100 discretely interprets the output signals from the electronic
substrate 24a indicative of the incremental (or continuous) movement of
the slider 304a as a specified mixture ratio of contrast to saline. In
other words, the control unit(s) may interpret incremental (or
continuous) movement as requests for incremental or discrete changes in
contrast-saline mixture. The illustrated slider 304a may extend though a
front opening 306a in housing 12a so as to be accessible by the
operator's fingers. Housing portions 20a, 22a of housing 12a may together
define a cavity 308a adjacent electronic substrate 24a for positioning
the linear potentiometer 302a.

[0122]In exemplary operation, movement of the slider 304a all the way to
the lower end of front opening 306a may result in a delivery of 100%
contrast media from fluid delivery system 100 and opposite movement to
the upper end of front opening 306a may yield 100% saline. Intermediate
positions of slider 304a between these extremes may yield continuously
variable ratios of contrast to saline mixtures or, alternatively,
discrete ratios may be defined between these extremes. In like manner to
that described previously, eleven exemplary discrete positions may be
provided between the extremes of 100% contrast and 100% saline with each
incremental or discrete position change resulting in, for example, a 10%
change in the ratio mixture. For example, one discrete step or movement
"up" by slider 304a from the lower end of front opening 306a may yield a
90% contrast and 10% saline mixture. A second discrete step or movement
upward may yield an 80% contrast and 20% saline mixture, and so on. To
further clarify, the control unit(s) of the delivery system 100 may have
stored therein a series of predefined resistance values of linear
potentiometer 302a which correspond to a variety of different contrast
saline mixes. Accordingly, as a user continuously moves slider 304a
between the lower end of front opening 306a and the upper end of front
opening 306a, the control unit(s) will only instruct fluid delivery
system 100 to change the ratio of contrast to saline when one of the
predefined resistance values of linear potentiometer 302a is met. In this
manner, continuous movement of slider 304a can be converted to discrete
mixture ratios by the control unit(s). Tactile and/or auditory features
much like that described in connection with detent 242 and sound
producing structures 36a may be used to indicate each discrete change in
mixture ratio with each discrete movement of the slider 304a.

[0123]FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate a second modification 300b to control
device 10a wherein the ratio of contrast to saline is controlled by a
rotational potentiometer 302b having a rotational dial 304b. As is
well-known in the electronics field, rotationally potentiometers are used
to produce a variable amount of resistance depending on the position of a
shaft 310b supporting dial 304b. In the present embodiment, the
rotational potentiometer 302b interfaces with electronic substrate 24a so
rotational movement of the dial 304b produces a range of output signals
from electronic substrate 24a that is outputted via cable 16a to the
fluid delivery system 100 and instructs the same to operate, for example,
in a contrast delivery mode, a saline delivery mode, and a "mixing" mode
comprising contrast-saline mixture ratios defined by the rotational
position of the shaft 310b supporting dial 304b. Such output signals may
be continuously variable and interpreted continuously by the control
unit(s) of the fluid delivery system 100 and result in continuously
variable changes in contrast to saline mixture. Alternatively, such
output signals may be discretely interpreted by the control unit(s) of
the fluid delivery system 100 in that rotational movement of the shaft
310b supporting dial 304b provides inputs to the electronic substrate 24a
which will yield output signals that result in specified or predefined
ratios of contrast to saline mixtures to be outputted from the fluid
delivery system 100. In this latter operational mode, the fluid delivery
system 100 and, more particularly, the control unit(s) of the fluid
delivery system 100 interprets the output signals from the electronic
substrate 24a indicative of the incremental (or continuous) rotational
movement of the shaft 310b supporting dial 304b as a specified mixture
ratio of contrast to saline. In other words, the control unit(s) may
interpret incremental or (or continuous) rotational movement as requests
for incremental or discrete changes in contrast-saline mixture. The
illustrated dial 304b may likewise extend though a front opening 306b in
housing 12a so as to be accessible by the operator's fingers. Housing
portions 20a, 22a of housing 12a may again define a cavity 308b adjacent
electronic substrate 24a for positioning the rotational potentiometer
302b.

[0124]In exemplary operation, rotational movement of the rotational dial
304b all the way to one extreme may result in a delivery of 100% contrast
media from fluid delivery system 100 and opposite rotational movement to
the opposite extreme may yield 100% saline. Intermediate rotational
positions of the dial 304b between these extremes may yield continuously
variable ratios of contrast to saline mixtures or, alternatively,
discrete ratios may be defined between these extremes in like manner to
that described immediately above. To further clarify, the control unit(s)
of the delivery system 100 may have stored therein a series of predefined
resistance values of rotational potentiometer 302b which correspond to a
variety of different contrast saline mixes. Accordingly, as a user
continuously moves dial 304b in front opening 306b, the control unit(s)
will only instruct fluid delivery system 100 to change the ratio of
contrast to saline when one of the predefined resistance values of
rotational potentiometer 302b is met. In this manner, continuous
rotational movement of dial 304b can be converted to discrete mixture
ratios by the control unit(s). Tactile and/or auditory features much like
that described in connection with detent 242 and sound producing
structures 36a may be used to indicate each discrete change in mixture
ratio with each discrete movement of the dial 304b.

[0125]FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate a third modification 300c to control device
10a wherein the ratio of contrast to saline is controlled by a pair of
push buttons 312c, 314c electrically connected to electronic substrate
24a. As is well-known in the electronics field, electrical push buttons
are used to produce electrical inputs to electronic substrates. In the
present embodiment, an "up" push button 312c and a "down" push button
314c are provided to interface with electronic substrate 24a so that
pressing either button (repeatedly or continuously) produces a range of
output signals from the electronic substrate 24a that is outputted via
cable 16a to control unit(s) of the fluid delivery system 100 and
instructs the same to operate, for example, in a contrast delivery mode,
a saline delivery mode, and a "mixing" mode comprising contrast-saline
mixture ratios defined by the "up" and "down" inputs to push buttons
312c, 314c. Once again, such output signals may be continuously variable
and interpreted continuously by the control unit(s) of the fluid delivery
system 100 and result in continuously variable changes in the
contrast-saline mixture ratios defined by the by the "up" and "down"
inputs to push buttons 312c, 314c. Alternatively, such output signals may
be discretely interpreted by the control unit(s) of the fluid delivery
system 100 in that discrete (or continuous depressing) of the "up" and
"down" push buttons 312c, 314c provides inputs to the electronic
substrate 24a which will yield output signals that result in specified or
predefined ratios of contrast to saline mixtures to be outputted from the
fluid delivery system 100. In this latter operational mode, the fluid
delivery system 100 and, more particularly, the control unit(s) of the
fluid delivery system 100 interprets the output signals from the
electronic substrate 24a indicative of the discrete or continuous
depressing of the "up" and "down" push buttons 312c, 314c as specified
mixture ratios of contrast to saline. In other words, the control unit(s)
may interpret incremental or (or continuous) depressing of push buttons
312c, 314c as requests for incremental or discrete changes in
contrast-saline mixture. The illustrated push buttons 312c, 314c may
extend through respective openings 306c in housing 12a so as to be
accessible by the operator's fingers. Housing portion 22a of housing 12a
may again define internal support structure for supporting push buttons
312c, 314c in a similar manner to button 66a discussed previously.

[0126]In exemplary operation, depressing one or the other of push buttons
312c, 314c results in changes in the mixture ratio of contrast to saline.
For example, if the medical practitioner desires more contrast and less
saline, he or she may press (either multiple times or with continuous
pressure) the "up" push button 312c which inputs an electrical signal to
the electronic substrate 24a. Electronic substrate 24a provides output
signals to the control unit(s) of the fluid delivery system 100
indicating that additional contrast is desired. Typically, at some
preselected point in time or after a preselected number of "pushes", a
contrast delivery of 100% contrast media is reached and further
depressing of the push button 312c yields no further effect. In other
words, depressing push button 312c continuously or possibly repeatedly
sends electrical signals to the electronic substrate 24a which provides
output signals to the control unit(s) of the fluid delivery system 100
which ultimately determines that the operator desires a 100% contrast
event. Depressing (continuously or intermittently) push button 314c
thereafter results in output signals from the electronic substrate 24a
that saline is now desired. The fluid delivery system 100 responds with
an increasing percentage of saline. As noted in the foregoing, the output
signals may be continuously monitored and responded to by the fluid
delivery system 100 thereby resulting in continuously variable ratios of
contrast to saline mixtures. Alternatively, discrete or continuous
depressing of the push buttons 312c, 314c may result in discrete ratio
changes, such as a 10% incremental change for each depression of the
respective push buttons 312c, 314c, as determined by the control unit(s)
of the fluid delivery system 100. To further clarify, the control unit(s)
of the delivery system 100 may have stored therein a series of predefined
resistance values of the push buttons 312c, 314c which correspond to a
variety of different contrast saline mixes. Accordingly, as a user
intermittently or continuously pushes one of push buttons 312c, 314c, the
control unit(s) will only instruct fluid delivery system 100 to change
the ratio of contrast to saline when one of the predefined resistance
values is met. In this manner, intermittent or continuous depressing of
push buttons 312c, 314c can be converted to discrete mixture ratios by
the control unit(s). As with the two previously embodiments, tactile
indicators (physical and/or audible "clicks" or other sensory alerts
associated with push buttons 312c, 314c) may denote each increment change
which corresponds to a predetermined mixture ratio.

[0127]In one further modification 300d to control device 10a shown in
FIGS. 13A-13C, the ratio of contrast to saline is controlled by an
electromechanical interacting arrangement similar to the contact roller
40a and electronic substrate 24a discussed previously. In particular, a
second electronic substrate 24d is provided opposite from electronic
substrate 24a. Additionally, an actuator 14d comprising an actuating
structure 38d, which is similar to actuating member 38a, is provided to
move relative to electronic substrate 24d. Actuating member 38d includes
rails 42d, 43d to receive the electronic substrate 24d therebetween.
Electronic substrate 24d is associated with housing portion 20a of
housing 12a in a generally similar manner to the way electronic substrate
24a is associated with housing portion 22a of housing 12a discussed
previously.

[0128]In the present embodiment, the actuating member 38d is configured to
support a contact roller 40d similar to contact roller 40a in the manner
discussed previously. The contact roller 40d includes roller 210d
rotationally mounted on an axle 212d. The axle 212d is in turn
rotationally supported by the actuating member 38d. To support the
contact roller 40d, the rails 42d, 43d of the actuating member 38d
include extended support members 214d, 216d adapted to rotationally
support the axle 212d. The support members 214d, 216d define opposing
notches or recesses 218d for rotationally supporting the ends of the axle
212d. The support members 214d, 216d further include guide tabs or ramps
220d disposed immediately adjacent the notches 218d to guide entry of the
ends of the axle 212d into the notches 218d.

[0129]The support members 214d, 216d define longitudinal gaps 222d with
distal ends 224d, 226d of the rails 42d, 43d. The longitudinal gaps 222d
allow the respective support members 214d, 216d to flex relative to the
distal ends 224d, 226d of the rails 42d, 43d when the contact roller 40d
is mounted to the support members 214d, 216d and engaged with the
electronic substrate 24d. The actuating member 38d includes a handle
member 320d extending laterally from rail 43d and through a side opening
322d in housing 12a defined by the opposing housing portions 20a, 22a
forming housing 12a. Handle member 320d permits movement of actuating
member 38d up and down within the housing 12a in the manner explained in
detail previously. In the manner discussed previously, due to the
engagement of the roller 210d with the electronic substrate 24d, the
support members 214d, 216d will be flexed outward (i.e., generally
transversely) a small distance from the rails 42d, 43d and, more
particularly, outward from the distal ends 224d, 226d of the rails 42d,
43d. The "flexure" of the support members 214d, 216d is caused by sizing
the distance between the root of the notches 218d and the surface of the
electronic substrate 24d slightly smaller than the diameter of the roller
210d. This flexure applies a return or "back" pressure on the roller 210d
through the axle 212d and causes the resilient material of the roller
210d to deform and "mold" into engagement with conductive pattern 32d on
the electronic substrate 24a. Desirably, structure is provided in
association with rail 42d which engages, for example frictionally or by
intermittent interference engagement, with structure in housing portion
20a such that handle or actuating member 320d may have physically
discrete incremental positions within the side opening 322d which
correspond, for example, with discrete fluid mixture ratios to be
delivered by the fluid delivery system 100 as described further herein.

[0130]In view of the foregoing disclosure, it should be clear that
electronic substrate 24d comprises a conductive pattern 32d in the form
discrete digital values much like that described in connection with
electronic substrate 24a but now these discrete digital values define
discrete mixture ratios of contrast and saline to be delivered by the
fluid delivery system 100. Accordingly, the engagement of the contact
roller 40d with the conductive pattern 32d provides a range of discrete
output signals to the control unit(s) of the fluid delivery system 100
which is interpreted by the fluid delivery system 100 as discrete mixture
ratios of contrast and saline (or any two desired fluid) to be delivered
to a patient. Typically, the digital values forming the conductive
pattern 32d may be arranged such that the discrete mixture ratios are
linearly proportional to distance of movement of the actuating member
38d. This distance of movement may correspond to the handle member 320d
being initially at the top end of the side opening 322d in housing 12a
and being moved to the bottom end of side opening 322d or vice versa. As
with electronic substrate 24a, the digital values forming conductive
pattern 32d may have any desired incremental increase between digital
values. For example, each incremental digital value may define a 5%, 10%,
20%, etc. increase and this corresponds to similar discrete increases
(5%, 10%, 20%, etc.) in mixture ratios of contrast and saline delivered
by the fluid delivery system 100.

[0131]As an example, for the purposes of explanation, it may be assumed
that with the handle member 320d in a fully "up" position in side opening
322d, a 100% saline delivery will be initiated upon depressing actuator
14a on control device 10a. As the operator pushes downward on handle
member 320d, the contact roller 40d moves downward along conductive
pattern 32d on electronic substrate 24d and sequentially engages the
digital values forming the conductive pattern 32d. If it is assumed that
the conductive pattern 32d is formed by eleven digital values then each
sequential digital value engaged by the contact roller 40d as a result of
downward movement of the handle member 320d will increase the percentage
of contrast being delivered by 10%. As suggested previously, physical
structure on rail 42d of actuating member 38d may engage corresponding
structure in housing portion 12a to physically and tactilely indicate
each incremental position of the handle member 320d and, thereby, each
incremental increase in contrast percentage delivery in the present
example. As the handle member 320d reaches the bottom end in side opening
322d, a last incremental position is reached and this corresponds to a
100% contrast delivery in the present example. At this last position,
depressing the actuator 14a on control device 10a will cause 100%
contrast to be delivered and the further the actuator 14a is depressed
the greater the flow rate delivered by the fluid delivery system 100.

[0132]In each of the foregoing mixing modifications 300a-300d, it will be
clear that the actuator 14a is used to control the overall flow rate from
the fluid delivery system 100 whereas each of the various modifications
300a-300d determines the fluid mixture ratio of contrast to saline. In
the fluid delivery system 100, powered injector 102 is used to provide
the motive forces to inject contrast media into a patient and a pump
device is provided on fluid control module 106 to provide the motive
force to inject saline into the patient. With the foregoing mixing
modifications 300a-300d, it will be clear that actuation of actuator 14a
results in discrete changes in overall flow rate from the fluid delivery
system 100, whether the fluid being delivered is contrast-only,
saline-only, or a mixture of these fluids. Actuation of the various
devices forming mixing modifications 300a-300d is intended to instruct
the fluid delivery system 100 as to the desired mixture ratio. This
latter actuation may cause the injector 102 and/or pump device on the
fluid control module 106 to alter the speed of delivery of contrast and
saline in order to meet the desired mixture ratio and the control unit(s)
of the fluid delivery system 100, whether residing in the injector 102
and/or fluid control module 106 is capable of responding to both a
desired flow rate request (which results from actuation of actuator 14a)
and a desired mixture ratio request (which results from actuation of
actuator 14d). The programming in the control unit(s) of the fluid
delivery system 100 is capable of responding to requests for increased or
decreased flow rate and increased or decreased mixture ratios as desired
by the user.

[0133]FIG. 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of fluid delivery
system 100a comprising a powered injector 102a adapted to interface with
two syringes 104a(1), 104a(2) which may be fluidly connected to a source
of contrast media (not shown) and a source of saline (not shown) or any
two desired fluids. Mixing control device 10a may be interfaced with
injector 102a in a similar manner to that described previously in
connection with fluid delivery system 100 described previously and
provides inputs to the control unit, for example, housed in injector 102a
so the control inputs to the mixing control device 10a causes the
injector 102a to provide desired flow rates and desired contrast-saline
mixtures based on the user's inputs to control device 10a. A suitable
multi-syringe injector for powered injector 102a is described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/765,498, filed on Jan. 18, 2001, and now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,018,363 assigned to the assignee of the present
application, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety. Other relevant multi-fluid delivery systems are found in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/159,592, filed on May 30, 2002
(published as U.S. 2004/0064041) and in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/722,270, filed Nov. 25, 2003 (published as U.S. 2005/0113754),
assigned to the assignee of the present application, and the disclosures
of which are both incorporated herein by reference.

[0134]While the present invention was described with reference to
exemplary and alternative embodiments, those skilled in the art may make
modifications and alterations without departing from the scope and spirit
of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is
intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention is
defined by the appended claims, and all changes to the invention that
fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.

Patent applications by Ralph H. Schriver, Tarentum, PA US

Patent applications by Thomas P. Joyce, Wilkins Township, PA US

Patent applications by William D. Barlow, Pittsburgh, PA US

Patent applications by MEDRAD, INC.

Patent applications in class Means for controlling material flow to or from body, or metering a predetermined dose or amount

Patent applications in all subclasses Means for controlling material flow to or from body, or metering a predetermined dose or amount